Stabilizing Cap for Personal Flotation Device

ABSTRACT

A personal flotation device includes a shell and an inflatable bladder inside the shell. An inflator inside the shell is connected in fluid communication with the bladder for, when actuated, directing fluid under pressure into the bladder to inflate the bladder. A stabilizing cap on the shell maintains the inflator in a desired position inside the shell and helps to protect the inflator against damage. In one embodiment, the shell has a window, the inflator has an inflator status indicator, and the stabilizing cap maintains the inflator in a position inside the shell in which the inflator status indicator is visible through the window.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a personal flotation device, such as a life jacket or life vest. In particular, this invention relates to a personal flotation device including an inflator that, when actuated, directs gas under pressure into a bladder to inflate the device. The personal flotation device, when inflated, can help to support the wearer in the water.

Typically, in such devices, the bladder is located inside a durable shell. An inflator located inside the shell is connected with the bladder. The inflator is actuatable manually by pulling a projecting cord, and in some cases, also automatically.

The inflator has a status indicator on its outer surface. For proper usage and maintenance of the device, the inflator status indicator should be visible so that the wearer can determine whether the personal flotation device is armed and ready for use. To that end, the inflator is preferably located inside the shell so that the status indicator is visible through a transparent window in the shell. Since the inflator must be readily accessible for maintenance purposes, there is no permanent mechanical connection between the inflator and the shell. As a result, the inflator may move away from this desired position inside the shell. In addition, the inflator can sometimes be damaged if it is subjected to impact forces. For these reasons and others it is desirable to maintain the inflator in position within the shell, rather than allowing the inflator to move about within the shell.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a personal flotation device that is a first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged cutaway view of a portion of the device of FIG. 1, showing an inflator and a stabilizing cap that form part of the device;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the inflator and the inflator cap;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the stabilizing cap;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the stabilizing cap;

FIG. 6 is a right side elevational view of the stabilizing cap;

FIG. 7 is a left side elevational view of the stabilizing cap; and

FIG. 8 is a schematic view showing the engagement of the stabilizing cap, not on the shell, with the inflator.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This invention relates to a personal flotation device, such as a life jacket or life vest or life preserver. The invention is applicable to personal flotation devices of different constructions and configurations. As representative of the invention, FIG. 1 illustrates a personal flotation device 10 that is a first embodiment of the invention.

The device 10 has a generally U-shaped configuration suitable for use around the neck of a wearer, including two lobes 12 and 14, as best seen in FIG. 1. The invention is, of course, applicable to devices with other shapes and configurations.

The device 10 includes a shell 20. The shell 20 is the outermost portion of the device 10, and is made from a flexible fabric material such as nylon, for example, or from any material that is known to be suitable for use in this application. The shell 20 has a closure, such as a breakaway zipper 22, that extends along one of the lobes 12 of the U-shaped configuration. When the zipper 22 is opened, the interior of the lobe 12 of the device 10 is accessible.

On the zippered lobe 12 of the device 10 is a window 30, which is an opening in the shell 20. In the illustrated embodiment, the window 30 is circular in configuration. The window 30 is closed by a transparent material such as a piece of clear plastic 32. As a result, an observer can see into the interior of the lobe 12 of the device 10, through the window 30.

The device 10 includes an inflatable bladder 34 (FIG. 2) located in the interior of the shell 20. The bladder 34 may or may not be shaped to match the U-shaped configuration of the shell 20. The bladder 34 is normally in an uninflated condition. The dimensions of the bladder 34 are selected so that when the bladder is inflated, it expands outside the shell 20, through the breakaway zipper 22, to provide buoyancy to the personal flotation device 10.

The device also includes an inflator 40. The inflator 40 may be a known, commercially available inflator, including a main body portion 42 (FIG. 3) that is a canister of stored gas. Other types of inflators are usable with the invention, and inflators that are actuated in different manners. The invention is not limited to any one particular type or construction of inflator, such as the particular inflator 40 that is illustrated.

The main body portion 42 of the inflator 40, in the illustrated embodiment, has an elongate, cylindrical configuration extending along a portion of the length of the zippered lobe 12 of the device 10. The inflator 40 is received in the zippered lobe 22 of the device 10. The inflator 40 is thus accessible by opening the zipper 22.

The inflator 40 includes an inflator cap 44. The inflator cap 44 is mounted on one end of the stored gas canister 42 and controls opening of the canister. The inflator cap 44 is located outside the bladder 34 (the canister 42 may be located either inside or outside of the bladder, depending on the construction of the particular personal flotation device and the inflator that is used).

The inflator cap 44 has a base 46 (FIG. 3) adjacent the canister 42, and a generally cylindrical top portion 50. The top portion 50 has a circular end surface 52. A cylindrical outer rim 54 projects from the end surface 52, in a direction away from the base 46, and circumscribes the end surface. An actuating cord 56 extends through an opening 58 in the rim 54 and terminates in a handle 60 that is manually engageable at a location outside the shell 20. When the cord 56 is pulled, the inflator 40 is actuated in a known manner.

The inflator 40 has at least one status indicator; in the illustrated embodiment, there are two status indicators. The first status indicator on the illustrated inflator 40 is a device or indicator 62 on the end surface 52 of the inflator cap 44. The indicator 62 indicates the charge status of the inflator 40, i.e., is green when the inflator is sufficiently charged, and red when it needs replacing. The second status indicator in the illustrated embodiment is text 64 that describes generally when to replace the inflator 40—if the indicator 62 shows red, or after a certain date.

It is necessary that any status indicators on the end surface 52 of the inflator cap 44 be visible from outside the shell 20—specifically, through the window 30. The positioning of the inflator 40 in the bladder 34 helps to hold the inflator cap 44 adjacent to and underlying the window 30 in the shell 20. Nevertheless, because the inflator 40 is designed to be removable from the shell 20 in order to rearm the device 10, the inflator cannot be permanently secured to the shell. Thus, some variation in position of the inflator 40 is inevitable, with a resulting movement of the inflator cap 44 out of its desired location underlying the window 30.

To prevent such movement from happening, the device 10 of the present invention includes means for stabilizing the inflator 40—that is, means for maintaining the inflator in a selected position inside the shell 20 in which the inflator status indicators 62 and 64 are visible through the window 30.

In the illustrated embodiment, the means for maintaining is a stabilizing cap 70. As described below, the stabilizing cap 70 is fixed to the inside of the shell 20, adjacent to the window 30, and engages the inflator cap 44 to hold the inflator 40 in the desired position.

A stabilizing cap in accordance with the present invention has a configuration customized to work with the particular inflator (inflator cap) that is included in the personal flotation device. The specific stabilizing cap 70 that is illustrated is a one piece molded plastic element having a generally circular configuration centered on an axis 72. The stabilizing cap 70 is more rigid than the flexible fabric shell 22, thereby to provide a firm element for the inflator 40 to latch onto.

The stabilizing cap 70 includes an annular, radially extending base wall 74 that can be secured to the inside of the shell 20. The base wall 74 defines a circular central opening 76 of the stabilizing cap 70, centered on the axis 72. The central opening 76 of the stabilizing cap 70 is approximately the same size as the circular window 30 in the shell 22.

The stabilizing cap 70 includes one or more engagement portions that extend axially from the base wall 74 and that engage the inflator cap 44 with an interference fit. Specifically, the stabilizing cap 70 has an annular outer flange 80 with a cylindrical inner surface 82 that extends axially from the base wall 74 and extends for about 180 degrees around the central opening 76. The outer flange 80 defines a chamber 84 in the stabilizing cap 70, radially inside the outer flange.

An annular inner flange 86 with a cylindrical outer surface 88 is located radially inward of the outer flange 80 and extends about 180 degrees around the central opening 76. The inner flange 86 is interrupted by a cord opening 90 to enable the actuating cord 56 to pass from the inflator cap 44 to a location outside the shell 20. The outer surface 88 of the inner flange 86 is spaced apart from the inner surface 82 of the outer flange 80, to define between them an annular gap 92.

The stabilizing cap 70 is fixed to the shell 20 during manufacture of the personal flotation device, or retrofitted on a completed unit as allowable. The stabilizing cap 70 is positioned on the inner surface of the shell 20 so that the central opening 76 of the stabilizing cap underlies and is aligned (in this case centered) on the window 30 in the shell. The stabilizing cap 70 is permanently secured to the shell 20 in any one of a number of possible different manners, such as heat bonding, adhesive, ultrasonic welding, sewing, or a combination of these. Because the central opening 76 of the stabilizing cap 70 is centered on the window 30, the interior of the shell 20 is visible through the stabilizing cap.

When the stabilizing cap 70 is thus affixed to the shell 20, the flanges 80 and 86 on the stabilizing cap extend or project inward into the interior of the shell, in a direction away from the window 30. The chamber 84 in the stabilizing cap 40 is presented inward toward the inflator 40.

The inflator cap 44 is engaged with the stabilizing cap 40. The cylindrical top portion 50 of the inflator cap 44 is moved into the chamber 84 in the stabilizing cap 40. The rim 54 on the inflator cap 44 moves into the gap 92 between the inner and outer flanges 86 and 80 on the stabilizing cap 70. The radially outer side surface of the rim 54 on the inflator cap 44 engages the radially inner side surface 82 of the outer flange 80 on the stabilizing cap 70, and also engages the radially outer side surface 88 of the inner flange 86. This engagement is preferably an interference fit. Effectively, the inflator cap 44 is plugged into the stabilizing cap 70, which grips a portion of the inflator cap to maintain the inflator 40 in a desired position.

When the inflator cap 44 is thus engaged with the stabilizing cap 70, the circular end surface 52 of the inflator cap 44 underlies the circular central opening 76 in the stabilizing cap. As a result, the end surface 52 of the inflator cap 44, including the status indicators 62 and 64, is visible through the window 30 in the shell 20. The actuating cord 56 passes through the cord opening 90 in the inner flange 86 and is thus freely movable as needed.

The engagement of the inflator cap 44 with the stabilizing cap 70 maintains the inflator 40 in position in the shell 20. Because the top portion 50 of the inflator cap 44 is disposed inside the chamber 84 of the stabilizing cap 70, the inflator cap 44 cannot move laterally (radially) with respect to the window 30. In addition, the interference fit of the inflator cap 44 in the stabilizing cap 70 minimizes the possibility of the inflator 40 moving inward in the shell 20, that is, in a direction away from the window 30. These movement restrictions help to ensure that the inflator 40 remains in the desired position in the shell 20. In this case, these movement restrictions ensure that the status indicators 62 and 64 remain visible through the window 30.

In addition, the stabilizing cap 70 helps to protect the inflator cap 44 against damage. Specifically, the rim 54 on the inflator cap 44, and other parts of the inflator cap, can be subject to breakage upon impact from outside the device shell 20. In the personal flotation device 10, the material of the stabilizing cap 70 is interposed between the shell 20 and the inflator cap 44. This helps to reduce impact force that is transmitted to the inflator cap 44, which is desirable because the rim 54, especially, may be subject to breakage.

The present invention is applicable to personal flotation devices, and inflators, of different constructions and configurations. For example, some personal flotation devices include inflators having all of its parts located outside the inflatable bladder. Some inflators have caps (or portions that serve the functions of the cap 70) that are shaped differently from the particular cap 70 that is illustrated. As one example, some inflators have caps that are generally rectangular, and/or more elongate. Therefore, a stabilizing cap of the present invention need not take the form shown in the illustrated embodiment. In such cases, stabilizing caps can be provided that have a different configuration, specially designed to grip or otherwise receive a portion of the particular inflator, in a manner so as to help maintain the inflator in a desired position in the shell. In addition, the invention is usable to maintain the inflator in a position other than adjacent the window, or in a personal flotation device that does not include a window, simply to maintain the inflator in position.

From the foregoing description, those skilled in the art will perceive improvements, changes, and modifications in the invention. Such improvements, changes, and modifications within the skill of the art are intended to be covered by the appended claims. 

1. A personal flotation device comprising: a shell having a window; an inflatable bladder inside the shell; an inflator inside the shell and connected in fluid communication with the bladder for, when actuated, directing fluid under pressure into the bladder to inflate the bladder, the inflator having an inflator status indicator; and a stabilizing cap on the shell for maintaining the inflator in a position inside the shell in which the inflator status indicator is visible through the window.
 2. A personal flotation device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the stabilizing cap has a generally circular configuration centered on an axis and includes a radially extending portion that is secured to the inside of the shell and an axially extending portion that engages a portion of the inflator with an interference fit.
 3. A device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the stabilizing cap is a part that is made separately from the shell and thereafter fixed to the shell and that grips a portion of the inflator to maintain the inflator position.
 4. A device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the stabilizing cap circumscribes the window and aligns the inflator portion in the window.
 5. A personal flotation device as set forth in claim 4 wherein the stabilizing cap has a generally circular configuration centered on an axis, the window is circular, and the stabilizing cap circumscribes the window and aligns the inflator portion in the window.
 6. A personal flotation device as set forth in claim 5 wherein the inflator portion is releasably plugged into the stabilizing cap and the stabilizing cap grips the inflator portion.
 7. A personal flotation device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the inflator is releasably plugged into the stabilizing cap and the stabilizing cap grips the inflator portion.
 8. A personal flotation device comprising: a shell having a window; an inflatable bladder inside the shell; an inflator inside the shell and connected in fluid communication with the bladder for, when actuated, directing fluid under pressure into the bladder to inflate the bladder; the inflator having an inflator status indicator; and means on the shell and adjacent to the window for maintaining the inflator status indicator visible through the window.
 9. A device as set forth in claim 8 wherein the means for maintaining comprises a flange on the shell that projects inwardly from the shell and that circumscribes the window and engages the inflator.
 10. A personal flotation device as set forth in claim 8 wherein the means for maintaining comprises a gripper into which a portion of the inflator is releasably plugged.
 11. A personal flotation device comprising: a flexible fabric shell; a stabilizing element that is secured to the fabric shell and that projects inward from the fabric shell; and an inflator that is releasably engaged with the stabilizing element to maintain the inflator in position inside the shell.
 12. A personal flotation device as set forth in claim 11 wherein the stabilizing element is more rigid than the flexible fabric shell.
 13. A personal flotation device as set forth in claim 12 wherein the stabilizing element has a chamber into which a portion of the inflator is releasably plugged.
 14. A personal inflation device as set forth in claim 12 wherein the inflator portion is an inflator cap and the stabilizing element is a stabilizing cap that is made separately from the shell and thereafter fixed to the shell and that grips the inflator cap to maintain the inflator position. 